Chickens 'incinerated' in Mansfield 'arson' attack believed to have been 'started by children'

A 60-year-old man has been left 'heartbroken' after his chickens died in a fire which is believed to have been "started by two children".

The fire started at around 2am this morning, Tuesday, May 1.

Stephen Walker, 60, who leases the allotment at New England Allotments, on Chesterfield Road, Pleasley with his brother Graham Walker said six of his chickens died in the fire which destroyed a chicken coop and a shed.

He said: "Some of the chickens were incinerated, and the coop was burnt down.

"Me and my brother built the coop ourselves - its heartbreaking. It was a beautiful and expensive coop."

The Mansfield Woodhouse resident said the damage could total up to £3,000.

Arson at New England allotments where several chickens were killed, pictured is Graham Walker with the burnt out chicken coop

He said: "It was only little bits but they add up.

"Its a shame we put hard work into it.

"The problem is we could do it again and they could come back."

A police spokeswoman said: "We’re investigating after the fire service reported that a shed at the allotments in Pleasley had been set on fire in the early hours of this morning and they believed it to be deliberate.

“If you saw anything suspicious in the area or have any information that could help, please call us on 101 quoting incident 44 of 1 May. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Stephen also said his brother was told at the scene this morning that the damage was done by "two children."